Lagos takes down dangerous building

The Lagos State Building Control Agency on Saturday moved residents from a troubled building at Akinyele Bus Stop in Abesan Estate.

The agency then started demolishing the structure after experts said it was unsafe for people to live in.

This action came after a worried neighbour called the agency’s toll-free line. The resident saw clear signs of damage and was afraid the building might collapse, putting everyone at risk.

While the demolition was happening, the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbaye Florence, said they acted quickly to remove the danger and protect the people.

She explained that a group of structural engineers and enforcement officers was sent to check the building right away. They found serious problems that could threaten lives and property.

After the inspection, the agency ordered everyone living there to leave immediately. They then began carefully bringing down the building to avoid any chance of it falling.

“The agency is dedicated to making sure unsafe buildings do not pose a threat to anyone in Lagos State. Once we got the report, our team went to the site to check it out. The inspection showed that the building had serious issues that made it unsafe for people to stay in,” she said.

“After that check, we quickly evacuated all the residents to avoid any loss of life, and then we started the controlled demolition of the unsafe building as part of our duty to protect lives and property,” she added.

Florence praised the resident who reported the problem. Their quick action allowed the agency to step in before things got worse.

“I want to thank the concerned citizen who quickly called us through our toll-free line. That fast report helped us take action before the situation got worse and stopped what could have been a tragic event,” she said.

She urged people to always report any damaged, abandoned, or visibly unsafe buildings. She emphasized that keeping watch is important to avoid building collapses in Lagos.

“We encourage everyone to report any distressed, abandoned, or damaged buildings to LASBCA. Public support is crucial in our efforts to prevent building collapses and protect lives and property.

“The agency will keep monitoring buildings in the state, enforce safety rules, and respond quickly to distress calls for the safety of the public,” Florence said.

The agency also asked residents to report any suspected unsafe buildings and safety issues using their toll-free line, 07000-527222 (07000-LASBCA), for quick action to protect lives.